Understanding the Scriptures: A Complete Course on Bible Study

Honestly, this is the single most incredible Scripture textbook for High School aged students that I have ever seen in my life. I was first made aware of this series about a month ago, when I learned that a local Catholic High School had chosen to use one of the titles. One of my closest friends, the theology teacher at my son's High School, then ordered the entire series. As a professional theologian -- and as a professional educator -- I can only sit back and be amazed. This is simply the BEST one-volume introduction to Scripture that I have ever seen. It is faithful to the text, without denying the contributions of higher criticism. It is faithful to the Teaching of the Church. It is brilliantly illustrated and laid out. As someone who examines texts for a living -- it simply blew me away. I will be ordering a copy for my parish library as soon as possible. I only wish that a parish edition, suitable for CCD classes (and the limitations under which they labor) could be forthcoming. Dr. Hahn has outdone himself. Very, very highly recommended!

As the director of adult faith formation at a Catholic parish, I am using this text in tandem with the Bible as the textbook for a 9-month course on the Bible (30 classes, one class per chapter in this book). Our adults are devouring the material and *absolutely love* the content, layout, font, sacred art, diagrams, and beautiful photographs, which make this book such a fabulous resource for any student of the Bible. I wholly recommend this text to all high school classrooms as well as to all parishes and organizations that wish to facilitate a complete course on the Sacred Scriptures in order to give the student a Catholic Scriptural worldview and an overview, a framework, by which one may understand Salvation History as mediated by the Bible. Also, if you simply want to learn the Bible in the privacy of your own home - perhaps with your spouse or a friend - you should acquire a copy for yourself and read through it (perhaps one chapter per week). The chapters are short, easy-to-read, and full of amazing information. If sitting on your coffee table, the textbook looks enticing, and I guarantee, from personal experience that visitors will open it up and start flipping through the pages to view the eye-catching, colorful pages. Then, you'll hear the question, "Where did you get this?? How can I get my hands on one?"

I am hearing many good things about my new book, Understanding the Scriptures. I am very grateful and excited. I am also aware of the fact that this book is apparently difficult to find in bookstores etc. (However, you can order it directly from the publisher; just "google" Midwest Theological Forum.) In any case, I hope you don't mind me sharing a small sample of what others have been telling us about the book... M.M., who teaches high school in the Denver area, writes: "I have taught for twenty-two years in a variety of subject areas and have never had such an excellent textbook. This is Dr. Hahn's covenant-based perspective on salvation history with copious quotes from Scripture (the RSVCE), the Catechism, and various Church documents. The layout is beautiful and the text is interspersed with some of the most beautiful religious art ever created. This is dynamic orthodoxy at its best..." R.S. in Minnesota writes: "This book not only gives insight into salvation history and meaning to the story of the Bible, it creates a desire and excitement to read Sacred Scripture. After reading this book, I felt an urge to start a Bible Study in our Parish. This will become a reality beginning in September. Thank you Dr. Hahn!" A.T. in New Jersey writes: "I have been reading "Understanding Scripture" and have never enjoyed any text as much as this. I can't put the book down." I hasten to add that this book is part of a four-volume set, known as the Didache (pronounced did-ah-kay) Series; and the others are at least as good as this one. (Okay, I admit my bias, since I was privileged to serve on the editorial board for all four volumes). The Didache Series is designed to present the life and doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church in the context of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the teachings of Vatican II. From all reports, it would appear that the entire series is ideal for high school and adult education, RCIA, catechism classes, and home schooling. It's even being used in seminaries. All I can say is, thanks be to God!

This beautiful book is a must for every Catholic family. I know that it will be an important part of my family's homeschooling. I won't detail the contents, since other reviewers will likely do so. With so many Catholics realizing how little they know about their own faith, this book couldn't have come at a better time. The information is quite easy to read and is very accessible. For homeschooling (or adult renewal) the charts and graphs are extremely useful especially for those who have trouble connecting the scriptural dots. Thank you, Scott Hahn. Keep 'em coming.

I just received a copy of Scott Hahn's "Understanding the Scriptures: A Complete Course on Bible Study." This is an incredible book! It's hardcover, 9 x 11 inches, 548 pages, full color (BEAUTIFUL) art masterpieces and photographs, maps, charts, timelines; and an attached ribbon bookmark (a nice touch) FOR ONLY $40. After Hahn discusses what the Bible is, divine inspiration, salvation history, covenant, the canon, inerrancy, etc., he launches into a chronological study of the Bible. Study aids include supplementary reading, study questions, vocabulary, and practical exercises; quotations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church pepper the entire book. The text employs typology and other exegetical tools throughout, and highlights the Bible's overarching theme of Covenant. It's all written in Hahn's inimitable and utterly engaging style. Lots of "Oh, wow, how cool" moments (if "cool" is appropriate in this context). The book is part of the Didache Series, developed for "high school and adult education, RCIA, catechism classes, and home schooling." Well. I could go on and on. I'll stop.